Category Theatre Venues

Theatre Review: DRACULA: THE UNTOLD STORY – The Lowry, Salford

Combining live-action with graphic artwork, DRACULA: THE UNTOLD STORY shifts between reality and fantasy, adding a new level of power and horror to this classic story.

5 out of 5 stars

Dracula has been revisited many times over the years on film, radio, graphic novel, and television; even THE SIMPSONS have had a stab at it, but this new interpretation from Imitating The Dog theatre company sets the bar higher than before.

Using a combination of live-action and real-time generated graphic artwork, DRACULA: THE ...

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Theatre Review: Opera North’s CARMEN – The Lowry, Salford

Brave, bold and perfectly cast, Opera North’s CARMEN brings George Bizet’s iconic opera into the present.

4 out of 5 stars

Opera North’s decision to run George Bizet’s CARMEN as their post-Covid breakout performance is a brave and a bold one – and is as camp as you like!

A far cry from the cliched Spain of Bizet’s original, Edward Dick opts to set his version in an indistinctly defined American border town...

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Theatre Review: WAITRESS – Opera House, Manchester

With its sweet staging, stunning musical numbers, and sparkling wit, WAITRESS proves itself to be the perfect recipe.

4 out of 5 stars

After being rescheduled from winter 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first UK tour of WAITRESS finally heads to the Opera House this week, giving Manchester’s theatre lovers the sweet treat they have been craving.

Based on the 2007 indie film of the same name, WAITRESS follows Jenna, an expert pie-maker and waitress at a local diner who dreams of some happiness in her lif...

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Theatre Interview: Anthony Banks Talks DIAL M FOR MURDER

Tom Chambers as Tony Wendice in DIAL M FOR MURDER

Ahead of its run at Salford’s The Lowry, Director Anthony Banks and actors Tom Chambers, Diana Vickers and Christopher Harper talk about DIAL M FOR MURDER and why this classic thriller continues to captivate audiences

As he restarts the tour of classic thriller DIAL M FOR MURDER that had to be halted last year because of lockdown, Anthony Banks is excited that live theatre is up and running again.

“You can’t beat it,” the director says of the theatrical experience. “That shared experien...

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Theatre Review: THE GOOD LIFE – The Lowry, Salford

Rufus Hound as Tom in THE GOOD LIFE

Rufus Hound as Tom in THE GOOD LIFE. Photo Credit: Dan Tsantilis

A strong cast performance and delightful staging help to keep THE GOOD LIFE engaging, even if the comedy fails to generate the genuine belly laughs that the original generated

3 out of 5 stars

With sustainability and climate change high on the UK’s agenda, you can see why Adapter and Director Jeremy Sams decided to bring THE GOOD LIFE to the stage. After all, if the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of self-sufficiency.

Y...

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Theatre Review: BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS – Palace Theatre, Manchester

The cast of Bedknobs and Broomsticks

The cast of BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

With its dazzling effects, accomplished puppetry, catchy score and excellent cast performance, BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS is a feast for eyes and ears.

5 out of 5 stars

It’s been 50 years since Disney’s BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS cast its spell on the big screen. Often unfairly regarded as the poor relation to MARY POPPINS due to its similarities in style and song, this magical musical has taken a good while to make it onto the stage...

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Theatre Review: TELL ME ON A SUNDAY – The Lowry, Salford

Jodie Prenger in TELL ME ON A SUNDAY.

Jodie Prenger in TELL ME ON A SUNDAY. Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton

TELL ME ON A SUNDAY may be one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known musicals, yet this one-woman, one-act show still boasts plenty of charm.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Originally conceived for television, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY may be one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s lesser-known musicals. Yet this one-woman, one-act show still boasts plenty of charm, as Jodie Prenger beautifully demonstrates in its latest UK tour. 

Set in the heady days of the 1980s, TEL...

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Theatre Review: DEATH DROP – The Lowry, Manchester

Featuring an international cast of famous faces, DEATH DROP is a colourful mash-up of murder mystery drama, energetic comedy and a refined panto musical, dusted with drag sparkle.

5 out of 5 stars

Arm yourself with sequins, put on those killer heels, and girl grab your wig because drag queen sensations are in town, and there is a murder on the loose.

Set in 1991 on the 10th wedding anniversary of Charles and Princess Diana, DEATH DROP follows a glorious mix of guests who are mysteriously invited to the elusive...

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Theatre Review: GREASE – Opera House, Manchester

Nikolai Foster latest touring production of GREASE brings a fresh, contemporary edge to the cult classic, paying homage to the original stage production. 

4 out of 5 stars

Considering the worldwide success of the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, it’s easy to forget that GREASE started life on stage in Chicago seven years earlier.

Yet Nikolai Foster’s new touring production proves that there’s much to love about the original, stripping this cult musical back to its source material witho...

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Theatre Review: BALLET BLACK – The Lowry, Salford

BALLET BLACK

Delivering a seamless performance from start to finish, the BALLET BLACK double bill provides a diverse offering that all dance audiences can enjoy

4 out of 5 stars

BALLET BLACK returns to Salford’s The Lowry, with a double bill of thrilling dance to captivate your senses.

Cassa Pancho’s professional British ballet company celebrates dancers of Black and Asian descent and is making a fundamental change in the diversity of classical British ballet – the company even created the first UK-made pointe shoes fo...

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